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Crew Of Thin Float
The crew of
Thin
Float all come from very distinct backgrounds. Some have sailed all their
lives, and
some have just started. Many have sailed on large ocean going boats, and
some have never done anything more then dingy sailing.
The Brains In The Back
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Rick Franz - Tactician (Upwind), Captain (Downwind)
Rick grew up as a resident of Towson, Maryland. He has had a passion for sailing most of his life and likes to snowmobile when he can't go sailing. He is the downwind driver and is the "Father Figure" on the boat. He sails a 'Flying Scot' with his wife, Kakie, on Deep Creek Lake in Western Maryland as well.
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Mary Lees ("ML") Gunther - Captain (Upwind), Tactician (Downwind)
ML grew up on a sailboat and has more experience on the water than anyone onboard. As the boat's "Mom", she is known for her concern for all aboard. In 2001, she won a single-handed race on Thin Float. Her father raced "Lightning" class boats in the '50's and '60's and was a National Champion in his prime. Her brother Jim was the catalyst that got her sailing again after raising a family. She takes great pride in Thin Float's teak, and never complains when called upon to go up the mast.
The Brawn In The Front
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Martin England - Trimmer
An astronomer & professor by trade, and a Kiwi by birth, the attitude Martin brings to the boat puts the rest of the crew at ease. His knowledge of the night sky amazes everyone aboard. He has been sailing with Rick and ML for 10 years, and his quiet strength and quick wit is heavily relied on when the going gets tough.
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Will Gunther - Trimmer, Pitman, Boat Pharmacist
Will is ML's son and the newest crewman on Thin Float. He is one of the most competitive sailors on the boat having been a Lacrosse All-Star at Mary Washington College. He has come up to speed on racing rules and tactics as well as sail trimming in an amazingly short period of time. Will' is a pharmaceutical researcher, working on a new drug for overbearing skippers: 'Phucketal'.
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Bill Walters - Trimmer
Bill started sailing with Thin Float in the summer of 2001 and has become a key crewman . He has a natural knack for trimming the headsail, and loves making small 'tweaks' constantly. He runs on beer and pretzels, and his intensity is a constant reminder to everyone to keep their 'Head in the game'. Not given to talking much, when he does, laughter almost always follows.
The Pointy End
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Finn - Foredeck, Spinnaker Trimmer
Someone once said that to be good on the foredeck one must be a little crazy. Finn, who likes his tonic water (Schweppes Only) in small bottles and mustard on his "sammies", is the life of the boat. He insists he is a gourmet chef, but seems to thrive on Twizzlers and Pringles. His competitiveness is legendary and his sailing resume' impressive. A true intellectual, Finn's advice is sought on everything - except knot tying. In the off season, Finn is restoring one of Baltimore's landmark estates. Expected completion date: never.
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Ben Plowman - Foredeck, Spinnaker Trimmer
An ex-Navy man, Ben spends as much of his time on the water as he can. An experienced sailor, he has crewed on ocean going sailboats and has many stories of ocean storms that scare the bravest of us. Ben is ML's cousin, has sailed with Rick and ML for years, and is the source of every other joke on the boat! He once drove non-stop from Georgia to make a race one Tuesday evening.
The Rest of The Crew
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Darby Simmons - Tactician, Trimmer, Driver, Foredeck, Guru, Friend
Darby is ML's nephew and Rick's business partner. More importantly, he is the best competitive sailor we know. He and his brother race their own J/24 in a very tough Annapolis fleet against some of the best sailors in the country. Intense and analytical, he forces us to step up to a higher level of competition each time he is onboard, and is a constant mentor to Rick and ML.
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Garrett Franz - Rail Meat (Upwind), Mast (Downwind)
Garrett started as crew on Thin Float in the summer of 2001. He learned to sail at Salisbury University in FJ dingys. While still a newcomer to larger boats, he has a great eye for "seeing" the wind - and a cute girlfriend! He is also the boat's bartender and this website's administrator.